The Winnebago County Historical and Archaeological Society began its tours of historic Oshkosh in 2003 for Oshkosh's esquicentennial, and it has quickly become a tradition!  Each year the tour of Oshkosh's historic buildings included different historic homes and examples of architectural styles.  We will not be hosting a Tour this year (2010).

2008 Annual Historic Oshkosh Tour, Sunday, June 29

One stop was The Waters, located at the foot of Washington Avenue at 1363 Washington Avenue: and known to many as the Legion on the Lake, which underwent historic restoration this spring.  Our two other fascinating tour stops were two homes also on Washington Avenue:  1222 Washington Avenue, currently owned by Hugh and Kat Hughes and 1361 Washington Avenue, currently owned by Stephen and Anne Hintz.

"Professor Walter C. Hewitt House" is Colonial Revival Style with intersecting Dutch gambrel roofs.

Architect, William Waters. On the National Registrar of Historic Places.

Famous guests who visited or vacationed at the home include Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy (before both men were elected president) as well as President Kennedy's older brother, Joe.

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"Donald Hugo House" is European Revival French Normandy Style. 

Features leaded glass windows, a slate roof, and an iron railing staircase.

"The Waters", Old American Legion Building

Before Renovation	Rendition of Renovation

Previous Years' Historic Tour Sites:

Thank you to the owners and attendees for a very successful 2006 Annual Historic Tour!  If you missed the June 25 tour, please take a look at these photographs of the exteriors of our 3 sites:

The Lutz Home at 1449 Knapp Street.  This is an outstanding example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture that was built in 1904.

The Osborn House at 840 Osborn Avenue, which was built in 1844 and is the oldest home in Winnebago County.  The original log cabin home is encapsulated within the modern-day exterior.

The Star Theater at 1124-28 Oregon Street, which has been completely restored to its 1894 origins.  The Theater is only one of two Oshkosh commercial structures that is Queen Anne in design. 

Take a look at locations that have been part of previous year's tours:

• 2005
  • 1149 Algoma Boulevard — The Sue and Ted McNulty home, former residence of Oshkosh suffragist Jesse Jack Hooper
  • 516 West 18th Avenue — The Lois and Michael Noone home, formerly the Soo Line Passenger Station
  • 518 Franklin Street — The Drew and Vicki Lecher home, has a fireplace in three different rooms that all share a single chimney
• 2004
  • 1165 Algoma Boulevard — The Harold Buchholz House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • 1174 Algoma Boulevard — The Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, designed by William Waters
  • 1107 Algoma Boulevard — The Lee Bettes House, designed by L.S. Hicks
• 2003
  • 1200 Washington Avenue — Queen Anne style home built in 1888 for congressman & diplomat Richard Guenther, designed by William Waters
  • 1212 Washington Avenue — Queen Anne style home
  • 1025 Merritt Avenue  —  Wood Vernacular with strong elements  of Queen Anne,  Italianate, and Colonial Revival Architecture